News Release

Santiago Canyon College Named to List of 2018 Great Colleges to Work For

8/3/2018

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​The College excels in employee satisfaction

(Orange, CA) - For the fourth consecutive year, Santiago Canyon College (SCC) has been selected as one of “The Great Colleges to Work For” by
The Chronicle of Higher Education.

Drawing institutional data from colleges and the U.S. Department of Education, ModernThink, LLC on behalf of The Chronicle, surveyed 53,000 people at 253 institutions to determine two and four-year college excellence in each of the 12 available categories, 11 of which applied to community colleges.

SCC received accolades in each of the 11 possible categories. According to the survey, faculty felt they played a significant role in decisions on academic programs; received fair pay and satisfactory benefits; college leaders have the knowledge, skills and necessary experience for the success of the college; the school made a concerted effort to create a welcoming environment for all employees; SCC’s facilities met their needs; their jobs were meaningful; they were provided with ample chances to develop their skills and understood the requirements for career advancement; they were recognized for their contributions; their supervisors/chairs solicited ideas and made expectations clear; the college recognizes innovative and high-quality teaching, and school policies give them flexibility to manage their lives on campus and at home. SCC was also named to the 2018 Great Colleges to Work For Honor Roll.

“Santiago Canyon College is one of California's newer community colleges and in just 17 years has established a reputation for high-quality education, strong completion rates, winning athletic programs, and as a great place to work,” said SCC President Dr. John Hernandez. “Faculty, staff, and administrators take pride in redefining the student-focused experience and share a sense of responsibility in a collegial environment. College employees believe that what we do makes a difference. Our college's tagline - What Happens Here Matters - represents that belief.”

This year, 253 colleges were surveyed with 84 achieving acknowledgement in one or more categories. SCC was previously recognized in 2015, 2016 and 2017, each of the years the school has participated in the program.

Methodology

Colleges with a minimum enrollment of 500 students were eligible to participate in the survey at no cost. Each institution was asked to submit a list of full-time employees randomly selected across the categories of: administration, faculty, exempt professional staff and non-exempt staff. Adjunct faculty was included in two-year colleges participating. The survey consisted of two components: a questionnaire about institutional characteristics and a faculty/staff questionnaire on individual evaluations of their respective colleges. Participants were asked to respond to 60 questions using a five-point scale ranging from “strongly agree” to “strongly disagree.” Analysis of demographic data and workplace policies, including benefits, was also included. Recognition was given to the highest-scoring institutions in each of the size groups: small (under 2,999 students), medium (3,000 to 9,999 students) and large (10,000 or more students) and Honor Roll was awarded to two-year colleges cited most often in each size category.

About Santiago Canyon CollegeSantiago Canyon College (SCC) serves more than 17,000 credit and noncredit students each semester. In 2017, SCC was ranked #13 among the 50 Best Community Colleges in the U.S. by College Choice, a leading authority in college and university rankings and resources. The college prepares students for transfer to four-year institutions and careers, and provides courses for personal and professional development, as well as customized training for business and industry. The college is recognized for its adult education program which keeps the working adult - and senior - in mind by offering flexible schedules, and community locations. Serving the residents of Anaheim Hills, Orange, Tustin, and Villa Park, SCC is one of two comprehensive colleges under the auspices of the
Rancho Santiago Community College District.